to be the very contrary of chaste."

"Bring here my accuser," replied Sister Marie, with steadfast
countenance, "and you will see whether in my presence he will abide by
his evil declaration."

"No further proof is needed," he said, "since the confessor has been
found guilty."

"I hold him for too honourable a man," said Sister Marie, "to have
confessed so great a lie; but even should he have done so, bring him
here before me, and I will prove the contrary of what he says."

The Prior, finding that he could in no wise move her, thereupon said--

"I am your father, and seek to save your honour. For this reason I will
leave the truth of the matter to your own conscience, and will believe
whatever it bids you say. I ask you and conjure you on pain of mortal
sin to tell me truly whether you were indeed a virgin when you were
placed in this house?"

"My father," she replied, "I was then but five years old, and that age
must in itself testify to my virginity."

"Well, my daughter," said the Prior, "have you not since that time lost
this flower?"

She swore that she had kept it, and that she had had no hindrance in
doing so except from himself. Whereto he replied that he could not
believe it, and that the matter required proof.